Manchester United address pictures of Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Old Trafford early on Sunday

Manchester United drew 1-1 with La Liga outfit Rayo Vallecano on Sunday afternoon, in what was their final pre-season game of the summer before the Premier League campaign kicks off on August 5th.

Ronaldo was subbed off after 45 minutes on Sunday, being replaced by Amad Diallo. The Manchester United striker was then pictured leaving the ground before the full-time whistle had even gone.

This furthered speculation that Cristiano Ronaldo is still very keen to leave Manchester United this year after the Red Devils missed out on Champions League football for the forthcoming campaign.

Ronaldo has made his desire to leave Old Trafford this summer very, very clear - missing the entirety of Man United’s international pre-season tour and being offered to a number of top clubs, including Chelsea, Bayern Munich and PSG.

However, whilst many fans took Ronaldo leaving Old Trafford early as a sign of disrespect, it appears the club gave the striker the ok to do so.

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According to Sky Sports, after pictures of Ronaldo leaving Old Trafford prior to the final whistle emerged on social media, United have clarified he was one of a number of players to do so, and it is not an issue for the club.

Speaking after the match, Erik ten Hag did not mention Ronaldo leaving early, but did stress the need for the veteran hitman to get more game time: “He is not on the level of the rest of the squad because he missed a lot of weeks,” the Dutchman told Viaplay. “But he needs games and he needs training, a lot.”

Ronaldo himself, meanwhile, took to social media to write “Happy to be back” above a picture of himself playing for Man United on Sunday:

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